The Rev. Dr. Bruce Clear
Indianapolis Star Featured Church - August 24, 2002
Nuvo Featured Church for Architecture
offer just a little information.
Unitarianism is a 400+ year religious tradition that centers on values of freedom, reason, and tolerance in religion. By
valuing freedom, we are a "creedless" church. As a community, therefore, our members are bound together by commonly
held values rather than prescribed creeds. Our members vary widely in their specific beliefs (theism, atheism, rationalism,
humanism, mysticism, Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism, for example) but we share respect for each individual's search.
Unitarianism respects differences, but is not for everyone, I confess. Those who are searching for absolute religious
answers will not be satisfied with our freedom, and those who are uncomfortable with diversity in religion or who cannot
respect other beliefs will probably not be happy here.
But those who value open minds and thoughtful discussion may be pleasantly surprised to find a community which shares
those values. Every year, people come to us and say, "Where have you been all my life? I'm a Unitaian and didn't even
know it!"
We are a member church of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), headquartered in Boston. The UUA is a
merger of two denominations -- the Unitarians, founded in 1825, and the Universalists, founded in 1795. There are over
1,000 UU churches in the U.S. and Canada, and the churches, like their members, reflect a healthy diversity of style.
All Souls Unitarian Church was founded in Indianapolis in 1903, so celebrated our centennial in 2003. It began
downtown, building a church on Alabama Street, but outgrew its building and moved to its current 56th Street location in
1959. We are proud of our history in this city, having carried the flame of religious freedom in many ways.
Consistent with our principles affirming democratic process, authority in this church is vested in an elected Board of
Trustees, and policy decisions are made by the Board and the membership. We offer a variety of avenues for
participation. There are over 50 committees that run this church -- such as a Board and program Council, and
Committees such as Fine Arts, Religious Education, Grounds and Maintenance. There are program-related activities, such
as teaching in Sunday School, choir singing, the Heywood Alliance (generally serving, but not limited to, senior women),
the Young Adults Group (generally serving but not limited to, people ages 18-35), the Channing Club (service and social
activities for couples and singles), and a monthly "Something for Everyone" dinner and program on personal growth
issues. It is generally true that whenever two or more members see a need for a group, the group can be formed.
Thanks for visiting our web-site. We hope you will visit us in person, on Sundays at 10:30 a.m.. If you have any
questions, feel free to call the church (317) 545-6005 or e-mail us.
The Rev. Bruce Clear
Minister, All Souls Unitarian Church
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